Resilience, desire make Hapee champ

MANILA, Philippines - The Hapee Fresh Fighters were rewarded for their resilience and never-say-die attitude in fighting it out and turning around what could have been a lost game with a pulsating 93-91 squeaker over Cagayan Rising Suns to clinch the PBA D-League plum last Thursday.

“Character is not just willing to win. Winning is very important. But the character of not giving up (is more important),” Lamoiyan CEO Dr. Cecilio Pedro said after the Fresh Fighters gave the franchise their first title since a five-year hiatus from Philippine basketball.

Down by one in the final 23 seconds of overtime, Earl Scottie Thompson came up with three huge defensive plays to escape with the win in a victory that was more of a triumph of the spirit for a team that bucked injuries to key players – Bobby Ray Parks (shoulder - first quarter), Garvo Lanete (cramps – fourth) and Troy Rosario (ankle sprain – overtime).

“Well, blessing ito from the Lord. Siguro nagustuhan yung ibang players na sumali sa Hapee because of our good record in the past. (It’s a blessing from the Lord. Our team was able to get players who believe in Hapee’s good record and reputation.) We’re ’re out to play basketball, not to hurt people. The intention is to develop basketball and character of basketball players. It’s important to play hard but not to the extent of hurting the opponent,” Pedro said.

The owner is proud have a team that wins without resorting to roughhousing.

“Alam niyo di nawawala yun (Physicality is part of the game). Because of the intensity of the game and the desire to win on the other side, they will do everything in order to win. A win is nice but we won’t do it at the expense of doing others,” he said.

The Hapee main man is happy for Thompson to have his day and play a major role in their thrilling victory over Cagayan.

 Reduced to a role player for much of the season, the reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player didn’t budge when asked to step forward and do his thing for star-studded Hapee.

 “Fortunately Scottie Thompson stepped up and the outcome shows us we won because Thompson was able to steal twice and added a crucial bloc). Everybody agreed he should be the MVP of the series.

Asked about the future of the franchise, Pedro said keeping this formidable line-up will be the top priority for the next D-League tournament.